You Told Us is a regular feature where we highlight comments from users in the communities DNAinfo covers.
UPPER WEST SIDE — A sharp increase in number of tickets given to cyclists in the 24th Precinct — which officers credited with decreasing injuries in the neighborhood — garnered strong reactions from residents online.
Locals were very divided in their reactions. Some described the crackdown as "insulting" and police going after "low-hanging fruit" amid bigger problems, while others hailed the move as a boost to overall street safety.
Some thought wrote the crackdown is misguided and should be aimed at speeding cars instead:
► "Why aren't the police more vigilantly enforcing the speed limit? Yes, cyclists going the wrong way on a street, or riding on a sidewalk, should be ticketed. I just hope the police use some common sense — why ticket a cyclist going the right way, at slow speed, in the street, who slows dramatically or stops at a red light and then proceeds through?..." said a Neighborhood Square commenter.
► "The perceived threat of cyclists is just that — perceived. And even worse, ticketing cyclists who roll through red lights after stopping for pedestrians and looking both ways will not reduce injuries caused by cyclists — and that's what the NYPD does, because it's easy," a Neighborhood Square commenter wrote.
► "This is just insulting: http://t.co/MhmB4uglFd," tweeted blogger @bikesnobnyc.
Many residents described close calls with cyclists around the city:
► "I think it's great and it should be citywide!!! I can't tell you how many times I was crossing the street (and I had the 'walk' symbol!) and have almost been run down by a bicyclist or have had one scream "OUT OF THE WAY" NYS Vehicle and Traffic law clearly state that bicyclists have to follow the same rules of the road as cars do. NYPD should be enforcing this!" said one Facebook commenter.
Others felt the blame is not justified because pedestrians don't always follow the rules:
► "Why always put the blames solely on the cyclist? Often times, pedestrians walk AGAINST traffic light without looking at the oncoming traffic too," said a Facebook poster.
And another reader commented that there's another threat to safety on the streets: runners.
► "Runners are the worst though....They really think they own the streets...I am very close to starting a movement to deal with them," said a Neighborhood Square commenter.
